IC Inbox for Empatheias

[nofarplaneyet]

Messenger Bird/Voice/Image/Action

*If you want to harass an old man, feel free. Expect dry humor in return if you're trying to be smart.*

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[nofarplaneyet]

I'm kinda working right now, but if you want later, I can give you a lesson in dunamis.

[He's grown adept enough to work on the restaurant finances and talk through the amulet at the same time.]

[blitzcheer]

Oh. [ Right, the restaurant. He both simultaneously remembers and forgets about it. ] Uh, sure. I guess.

What time?

[nofarplaneyet]

Toward supper. If you stick around long enough, I can even make sure you take some food home to your and your friend.

[He knows you, Tidus. You eat a LOT since you're very active and possibly still growing.]

[blitzcheer]

What, you think we can't feed ourselves? [ Mental huff! ]

...but it'll be good for Shiraishi, and I'm not going to turn down free food. So alright.

[ Not that there's any feeling coming over the connection like he's looking forward to it or anything! ]

[nofarplaneyet]

[He gives an amused huff over their connection.]

Sure. See you later, Tidus.

[blitzcheer]

[ WAS AURON TOO FRIENDLY? Does he really know what Auron should be like?!

...It's good he can have a mental freak-out about this after the line has been closed, and his mind can wander to Sora's giant face and is this Auron really the same Auron? No, of course he is. Tidus knows that. That's stupid. (Also go away, Sora's giant face.)

And yet somehow the thought still creeps back once Tidus is out waiting for Auron, his brow switched up tight and his frown pushed into the side of his mouth.

also he's got the knapsack Auron gave him for Later Food Taking Away. But more importantly is the weird question Tidus is not going to ask as soon as he sees Auron. ]

Hey. Auron. [ ... ] Tell me what happened before we ended up in Spira.

[ Nevermind. ]

[nofarplaneyet]

Tell you...what?

[It's not that he doesn't know what Tidus is talking about, just that this question comes out of nowhere.]

You were playing with the Abes, Sin came to Zanarkand, I found you and we fought Sinscales through the street before we got taken by Sin.

Why would you...wait. You've been talking with Sora, haven't you? And you've ended up confused how he knows echoes of people we know, right?

[Believe him, that threw him for a loop when he first got here.]

[blitzcheer]

Don't say it like that! [ DON'T CALL HIM OUT AURON. ]

It's got nothing to do with that guy! I'm just saying, what if we're from really similar worlds but we're actually from really different worlds and we never realised it?

[ This is definitely a normal thing a person says. A normal thing to say and not because of Sora at all. ]

[nofarplaneyet]

You're a terrible liar, but I understand being confused. He said he knew me from his travels and I hadn't met him until I got here. There's a few people that are like that, for whatever reason.

[But he understands that Tidus isn't going to settle down to learn dunamis until he confirms that yes, they're from the same Zanarkand. Then he remembers something specific.]

We're from the same place. I remember when you were 10 and didn't tell me until the night before it was needed that I had to make three dozen cupcakes for your class bake sale. I lost sleep over that, but they turned out pretty good.

[blitzcheer]

[ THAT NEVER--

...okay, yes it did happen, and Tidus shuts his mouth without a rebuttal, feeling his cheeks pinch and shoulders hunch from that particular example being used. ]

I thought it was worth figuring out. [ Hmpphh. But he's quietened down, now. ]

[nofarplaneyet]

All right. So first thing: are you able to consciously create any kind of dunamis under your own power or does it just happen randomly for you?

[There won't be a quiz on this, but it will certainly help Auron how to proceed.]

[blitzcheer]

You mean the stuff that happens if I feel too much? [ Let's not call it getting emotional, now. ] It just happens. I never thought about turning it into anything. I just wanted it to happen less.

[ Then again, that was before the fight with his dad... ]

[nofarplaneyet]

All right. So you can try to control it to happen less. Or if you're having an intense emotion, you can turn it into something useful.

How it works is unique to each person. The way it was described to me was imagine a brick wall. You want to try to make a hole through it with your emotions. Depending on your strength of emotion and whichever one it is, you could end up changing the color of the wall. Or making the flowers grow on it. Or go around the wall. Or pulverize it, if you aren't careful with what you're doing.

Do you have any idea of what you'd like your emotions to do or would you rather I show you what happens when I try mine?

[blitzcheer]

[ That has to be the most weirdest explanation for anything Tidus has ever heard.

But he does remember what started this whole thing: an infuriating encounter with his old man. So with that in mind... ]

Sure. You ever learn to punch someone real good with it? 'Cause if I'm going to learn this because of him, first thing I plan to do is give him what he's deserved for years.

[ And he'll even punch a fist into a palm! ]

[nofarplaneyet]

I have used some emotions to hit fiends hard enough, so I think that could be doable.

But you should also concentrate on making something positive with your emotions, too. It kind of helps you balance things out.

So you've already felt what I can do when I'm calm. This is how I control anger.

[Auron unsheathes his Masamune blade, one that Tidus did not recall his guardian having on the journey. He takes some deep breaths and focuses on the blade. After a few moments, flames cover the surface.]

[blitzcheer]

[ Okay, sure, that's cool, even if Tidus was willing to get hung up on the Auron = anger part of what was said there until the flaming sword was introduced. He lets himself watch the flames burning for a moment in some admiration, but then eventually frowns. ]

Well I don't want to stab my old man. [ Though, maybe he should ask more about making something positive.

Except: ] Where are you hiding any anger?

[ Nope, he couldn't let that go without saying anything. ]

[nofarplaneyet]

[Auron can't help but smile at that remark, which actually makes him lose focus and the flames disappear.]

I know I never got angry around you, but I certainly can get angry. I'm just showing you what my anger could do. You could channel your anger to do something else if that's what you think will help.

Or any other emotion that you feel the strongest about. You could either use it to fight him or to show up your father. Up to you.

[blitzcheer]

Uggh, I don't know -- I just want him to tell me the truth!

[ He throws out a hand, the aggravation of too many choices turning the air around him damp, a small splash of water coming off from the swipe. Tidus sighs with tensing shoulders, feeling the water collect on his skin, under his clothes. He brings both hands to cross tight across his chest, turning his head away as he tries to remember something or other about inner calm a guy shared with him when he first got here.

A failing practice for someone like him. ]

But I know he won't. I know you won't. Everything's got to come out at the right time, right? [ There's some restraint at the start, still frustrated, because Tidus already knows the futility in getting answers. Knows it's not worth getting angry over.

It doesn't make him any less bitter.

He lets himself slip onto the ground cross-legged, sticking his hands through his hair before dragging them out. ]

If he doesn't want to tell me, then he can stuff his answers. Why do I care? S'not like I want to see the guy.

[ It'd be easier that way. Then he wouldn't have to deal with any of this. ]

[nofarplaneyet]

[Auron lets Tidus rage a little bit, seething in his frustration. It's important that Tidus understands the context behind everything or it won't make sense.

However, deliberately withholding information will not make anything better either. He removes his shades to rub the bridge of his nose. He breathes in and out, considering this problem carefully. At one time, he would have just held everything back no matter what Tidus thought.

But he'd been in this place for so long. Had learned a few things and perhaps, gained a bit more empathy.]

Tidus. If I teach you this dunamis and I feel like you have a good enough control of it, I will tell you everything you need to know.

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus wasn’t expecting that to achieve anything; he was just feeling wound up by the choices presented, when all he wanted had nothing to do with dunamis--nothing to do with this world and its stupid rules.

So it surprises Tidus, to hear the offer. He’s not sure what to make of it, though in the end, it’s no different from his dad’s offer, is it. Technically. Does that bother him? Or has he been in this position before--where there’s a choice presented to him, but really, there’s no choice at all. ]

Is it that important?

[ Mumbles the guy currently sitting with wet patches in his clothing thanks to emotion world. But it's not really a question searching for an answer, and so Tidus groans, extending his arms and giving them a shake in both gesture and annoyance. There's wet streaks in his sleeves. ]

Mad stuff. What can I do about this? I can’t be annoyed 'bout anything or I get wet!

[nofarplaneyet]

Because of what you'll find out, yes. Jecht didn't explain this very well, but I will.

I need you to be able to master your emotions to some degree because there's probably a lot that you aren't going to enjoy hearing about. You will get angry and I don't want you to hurt yourself or anyone around you.

[blitzcheer]

[ Mhrrr. ]

Just so you know, that wasn't my fault last time. I was already cold, and he wouldn't stop running his mouth!

[ Which may not disprove anything Auron is saying (and grossly oversimplifies things), but he hates the idea he needs training for any of this. He has his pride to think about. ]

I'll learn this easy. You'll see!

[nofarplaneyet]

It's true. You're already used to hard training so this might come to you easier than you think.

[He's not one to shower people with praise, but he also doesn't forget to recognize someone's strengths.]

[blitzcheer]

Wow, you're acknowledging my skills, Auron?

[ Which surprises him, then tickles him, but this means he has to put on a cocky air. ]

Sure am! I'll even get it quicker than you did. Don't get jealous.

[ Heheh. ]

[nofarplaneyet]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

First thing we need to do is tame your anger. You should also try to do something with your confidence too. Make that help you out. If you can balance those two at the same time, it'll go a long way.